From the Back Pages, July 15: Liverpool’s Reus bid, Chelsea move for Khedira and Luis, Man Utd Cavani

From the back pages

Published:22:13Monday 14 July 2014

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LIVERPOOL have been linked with a sensational move for Germany star Marco Reus, Chelsea are ready to complete a double swoop for Filipe Luis and Arsenal target Sami Khedira, Manchester United are hopeful of landing Paris St-Germain striker Edinson Cavani, and Tottenham are hoping to land Everton’s John Stones and Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin. (The Express)

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given the clearest possible hint he thinks Luiz Suarez’s bite ban should be cut. (The Mirror)

It was the bitterest of consolation prizes, not least because even Lionel Messi knew, deep down, that he did not deserve it. When he put that final free-kick way over the bar his first reaction was an endearing smile, as if to suggest: “See, I’m mortal after all.” But when the Argentine picked up Fifa’s Golden Ball award for the best player of this World Cup he looked disappointed, and sheepish. James Rodriguez, Arjen Robben and a clutch of Germans were all better candidates and Messi looked well aware of it. “I don’t care at all about that prize, only lifting the trophy matters,” he said. (The Independent)

Fifa is considering changing the voting procedure for the Golden Ball after the controversy surrounding the honour of the World Cup’s best player being awarded to Lionel Messi. (The Telegraph)

Manchester United have announced the biggest kit deal in sporting history, underlining their enduring global appeal despite their worst season for 23 years. As reported by The Times last week, the ten-year agreement with adidas, which takes effect from the 2015-16 season, will be worth at least £750 million to United, an eye-watering sum that Nike, the club’s present kit supplier, was unwilling to match. (The Times)

Alberto Contador abandons on Tour de France 2014 stage 10. Alberto Contador abandoned after suffering a fractured tibia in a crash and Vincenzo Nibali was untouchable on the slopes, taking his second stage win and reclaiming the yellow jersey (The Guardian)

Floyd Mayweather Jnr has dared Marcos Maidana to put his millions where his mouth is ahead of their Las Vegas rematch. The pound-for-pound No 1 attempted to goad the Argentinian into betting his share of the purse on the outcome of the September 13 clash as the welterweights faced the world’s media in New York’s Times Square on Monday. (Daily Mail)